Michigan State Spartans tight end Matt Seybert (80) and Michigan State Spartans running back Madre London (28) celebrate a touchdown during the first quarter of a game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium.(Photo: Mike Carter/USA TODAY Sports)

EAST LANSING – Michigan State defiantly decided to accept the opening kickoff, going on the offensive after an off-season of trials and tribulations.

And then, LJ Scott fumbled near the goal line. And then, Bowling Green hit a deep pass and kicked a field goal.

After nine long months in the rearview, it suddenly felt three more long months would be ahead.

Yet, Brian Lewerke remained as calm as advertised. And his young Spartans followed him.

Quarterback Lewerke passed for three touchdowns, completing 22-for-33 passes for 250 yards, and cornerback Tyson Smith returned an interception for an emotional boost late as MSU slowly and surely dominated the Falcons from there in a 35-10 victory Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

“You’ve gotta have short-term memory loss in football. That’s one thing we do have – you gotta forget about it, put the play behind you and just keep pushing forward,” receiver Darrell Stewart said. “Brian came back to the sideline, as poised as he is, and told us, ‘C’mon, let’s keep the ball rolling. Things happen. But let’s go.’”

It was MSU’s first victory since beating Rutgers on Nov. 12, 2016 late in last year’s 3-9 season. The Spartans, who won their 10th opener in coach Mark Dantonio’s 11 seasons, outgained the Falcons, 465-212, and ran for 244 yards. They dominated time of possession (38:01-20:39) and held Bowling Green to just 2-for-13 on third-down conversions.

Third-year sophomore Lewerke threw a pair of touchdowns to junior receiver Felton Davis and another to junior tight end Matt Sokol as 10 different Spartans caught his passes. Sophomore receiver Stewart grabbed a team-best six passes for 85 yards among his 150 all-purpose yards.

“We’re all chasing perfection,” Dantonio said. “When you’re a head coach and you have a turnover, that can fry you out on the sidelines a little bit. But I thought our guys played extremely hard, and you saw a lot of excitement in the locker room after the game, singing the fight song and turning up the music and all that kind of stuff. A lot of guys were extremely happy.

Darrell Stewart Jr. of the Michigan State Spartans looks to get around the tackle of Marcus Milton of the Bowling Green Falcons during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first half first down past Cameron Jefferies of the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Madre London of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first-half touchdown with Trishton Jackson while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Brian Lewerke of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a open receiver in the first half while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Darrell Stewart Jr. of the Michigan State Spartans looks for running room after a first half catch while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Brian Lewerke of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a open receiver in the first half while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Madre London of the Michigan State Spartans gets in for a first half touchdown while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Datrin Guyton of the Bowling Green Falcons catches a first half pass next to Josh Butler #19 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Madre London of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his first half touchdown with Brian Lewerke #14 while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Darrell Stewart Jr. of the Michigan State Spartans tries to escape the tackle of Cameron Jefferies of the Bowling Green Falcons during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan
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Brian Lewerke of the Michigan State Spartans tries to escape the tackle of Fred Garth #4 of the Bowling Green Falcons during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Darrell Stewart Jr. of the Michigan State Spartans jumps past Brandon Harris #19 of the Bowling Green Falcons during a first half play at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Darrell Stewart Jr. of the Michigan State Spartans looks for yards after a first half catch while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Darrell Stewart Jr. of the Michigan State Spartans tries to avoid a tackle by Robert Jackson Jr. of the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Darrell Stewart Jr. of the Michigan State Spartans tries to avoid a tackle by Robert Jackson Jr. of the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Matt Sokol of the Michigan State Spartans battles in for a second half touchdown past a hit by Ben Hale of the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Hunter Folkertsma of the Bowling Green Falcons flies over the tackle of David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Hunter Folkertsma of the Bowling Green Falcons flies over the tackle of David Dowell of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Brian Lewerke of the Michigan State Spartans dives for a first down past Nate Locke of the Bowling Green Falcons during the second half at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Matt Sokol of the Michigan State Spartans sings the fight song after a 35-10 win over the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Brian Lewerke of the Michigan State Spartans looks for running room in the second half while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10.
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Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans shakes hands with head coach Mike Jinks of the Bowling Green Falcons after a 35-10 win at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Bowling Green Falcons running back Donovan Wilson (45) is tripped up by Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Tipps-Clemons (45) during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium.
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Sep 2, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Spartan Stadium during the second half of a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
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Michigan State running back Madre London, left, gets past Bowling Green's Armani Posey for a first down during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich.
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Michigan State's Felton Davis III (18) and Bowling Green's Fred Garth, rear, vie for a pass that would fall incomplete during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich.
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Michigan State's Tyson Smith (15) returns an interception for a touchdown against Bowling Green's Josh Cleveland, right, as Michigan State's Dillon Alexander (52) and Andrew Dowell (5) run with him during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
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Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) rolls out against Bowling Green's Jack Walz III during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
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Michigan State's Felton Davis III (18) pulls in a pass for a touchdown over Bowling Green's Robert Jackson Jr. (22) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
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Bowling Green's Cameron Jefferies, left, scores a touchdown on a 46-yard fumble return against Michigan State's Collin Lucas (40) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
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Michigan State's Chris Frey celebrates after sacking Bowling Green quarterback James Morgan (12) for a 10-yard loss during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
Al Goldis/AP

Michigan State's Chris Frey, left, sacks Bowling Green quarterback James Morgan (12) for a 10-yard loss during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
Al Goldis/AP

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio watches the action against Bowling Green during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
Al Goldis/AP

Bowling Green receiver Teo Redding (9) tries to pull in a deflected pass as Michigan State's Tyson Smith (15) and David Dowell (6) defend during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
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Michigan State receiver Darrell Stewart runs with the ball during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 35-10.
Al Goldis/AP

“Like I said earlier, we needed to get out from underneath that rock. And I thought we did that.”

Lewerke also led the Spartans with 69 rushing yards on eight carries, more than half of them improvised scrambles while under pressure.

“He’s probably the most athletic quarterback we've had in going on 11 years here,” co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner said. “And he showed it today.”

MSU fumbled four times, two by Scott and two by Lewerke. It lost three of them, including Scott’s second to start the fourth quarter that was returned 46 yards for a Bowling Green touchdown by Cam Jeffries after the Spartans were comfortably in front.

Scott’s first fumble came at the end of MSU’s seven-play, 65-yard opening drive and led to a Bowling Green field goal.

Madre London, who ran for 54 yards on 10 carries, scored the Spartans’ first touchdown on a 6-minute, 19-second drive in the second quarter. Then Lewerke directed a hurry-up drive with less than 2 minutes to play in the first half, hitting Davis for a 4-yard score to send MSU into halftime ahead, 14-3.

The duo connected again on a 9-yard touchdown on the Spartans’ first drive of the second half, and then Lewerke hit Sokol – who had dropped a pass in the end zone a play before the Davis TD – for a 13-yard score with 2:46 left in the third quarter.

Two Bowling Green plays later, cornerback Smith stepped in front of a James Morgan pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown that made it 35-3. Smith, a junior from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, suffered a stroke last November and did not know if he would ever play football again before being cleared by his doctors this summer.

MSU hosts Western Michigan next Saturday (3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network), but the Spartans took a very brief pause time to savor just their fourth win in the past calendar year.

“We celebrated for sure. We definitely got as much out of it as we could,” Lewerke said. “But it’s on to (Western Michigan) now. We let our young guys know that winning is not easy in the Big Ten, in college football at all. We learned that last year, and we’re just trying to take it day by day.”